Vivian C. Aguilar

Vaginal paravaginal repair with an AlloDerm graft

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to describe outcomes of a technique of vaginal paravaginal repair that used AlloDerm graft (LifeCell, Branchburg, NJ) in women with recurrent stage II or with primary or recurrent stage III/IV anterior vaginal wall prolapse. STUDY DESIGN This was an observational study. Thirty-three women underwent a vaginal paravaginal repair using AlloDerm graft. Anterior vaginal wall prolapse was staged using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system preoperatively and every 6 months after surgery. Recurrence of prolapse, changes in functional status (urinary symptoms, prolapse symptoms, and sexual activity), and complications were recorded. Objective failure was defined as recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse, stage II or greater, and subjective failure as symptomatic recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Life-table analysis evaluated objective and subjective failure. Risk factors for recurrent anterior vaginal wall prolapse were evaluated. RESULTS The mean age was 65.2 years and 93% of the women were white. Preoperatively, 6 women had recurrent stage II, 24 women had stage III, and 3 women had stage IV anterior vaginal wall prolapse. The median length of follow-up was 18 months. Postoperatively, 12 women had asymptomatic stage II anterior vaginal wall prolapse (not beyond the hymen) develop, and 1 woman had symptomatic stage II prolapse develop. Thus, there were 13 (41%) objective failures and 1 (3%) subjective failure. Life-table analysis demonstrated the cumulative probability of an objective failure was 0.24 at 1 year and 0.50 at 2, 3, and 4 years. The cumulative probability of a subjective failure was 0.00 at 1 and 2 years and 0.11 at 3 and 4 years. No risk factors for objective failure were identified. Voiding complaints resolved in 11 of 14 (79%) women (P=.004), incontinence symptoms resolved in 17 of 19 (89%) women (P<.001), and urgency symptoms resolved in 20 of 23 (87%) women (P<.001) (all two-tailed Fisher exact test). Twenty-one women (64%) were sexually active, and none complained of postoperative dyspareunia. Complications included 1 case of febrile morbidity, 1 cystotomy, and 1 anterior wall breakdown secondary to hematoma formation caused by heparin therapy. No other erosions or rejections were seen. CONCLUSION Vaginal paravaginal repair with AlloDerm graft in women with recurrent stage II or stage III/IV anterior vaginal wall prolapse is safe and has good subjective but only fair objective success within the first 2 years.

Obliterative LeFort colpocleisis in a large group of elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To report on anatomical and functional outcomes, patient satisfaction, and associated morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing LeFort colpocleisis. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of LeFort colpocleisis performed from January 2000 to October 2011. Data obtained from a urogynecologic database included demographics, comorbidities, medications, and urinary and bowel symptoms. Prolapse was quantified using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) examination. Operative characteristics were recorded. All patients underwent pelvic examination and POP-Q assessment at follow-up visits. Patients also were asked about urinary and bowel symptoms as well as overall satisfaction. All intraoperative and postoperative surgical complications were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-five patients underwent LeFort colpocleisis. Fifteen patients were excluded from the analysis because of incomplete data. The mean age was 81.3±5.3 years. Comorbidities were common, with 74.1% of the patients having at least one concomitant medical condition. The procedure was performed under spinal anesthesia in 67%. Additional procedures at the time of colpocleisis included incontinence procedures (79%) and dilation and curettage (46%). Mean follow-up was 45 (range 2–392) weeks. Anatomical success rate was 98.1% and patients were highly satisfied, with 92.9% reported being “cured” or “greatly improved.” Complication and mortality rates were 15.2% and 1.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Colpocleisis is an effective and low-risk procedure with high anatomical success rates and patient satisfaction. Associated morbidity and mortality related to the procedure are low. Colpocleisis remains an excellent surgical option for the elderly patient with advanced pelvic organ prolapse. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Gynecologic Manifestations of Interstitial Cystitis

Anatomic Overlap of the Urologic and Gynecologic Systems As one views the female pelvis, it is evident that it includes three organ systems: urologic, gynecologic, and gastrointestinal. Any condition involving any of these organ systems can be associated with irritative voiding symptoms. The intimate juxtaposition of the urinary, reproductive, and gastrointestinal structures poses a challenge to the practitioner evaluating a patient with complaints of pelvic pain and urinary symptoms.

A randomized clinical trial of the impact of local estrogen on postoperative tissue quality after vaginal reconstructive surgery.

Objective To evaluate the use and effect of early administration of vaginal estrogen via a continuous low-dose estradiol vaginal ring placed immediately after pelvic reconstructive surgery. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial of 65 postmenopausal women undergoing vaginal reconstructive surgery. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive an estradiol-releasing vaginal ring, placebo vaginal ring, or control without vaginal ring for 12 weeks immediately after vaginal reconstructive surgery. The primary outcome was tissue quality based on vaginal maturation 3 months postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures were subjective and objective signs of atrophy; vaginal pH; the presence of granulation tissue, microscopic inflammation, and major healing abnormalities; and the ability to tolerate an intravaginal ring. Results At 12 weeks, the estradiol ring group had a significantly improved maturation value (P<0.01) and objective atrophy assessment (P<0.01) compared with the placebo ring and control arms. Granulation tissue was increased in the placebo ring arm (P<0.01). Subjective atrophy scores did not differ among the groups (P=0.39). Conclusions Early administration of vaginal estrogen after vaginal surgery via an estradiol-releasing ring is feasible and results in improved markers of tissue quality postoperatively compared to placebo and controls.

Three-dimensional endovaginal ultrasound examination following injection of Macroplastique for stress urinary incontinence: Outcomes based on location and periurethral distribution of the bulking agent

Introduction and hypothesisOur aim was to use three-dimensional enodovaginal ultrasound (3D EVUS) to identify sonographic parameters that are associated with successful outcomes following injection of Macroplastique.MethodsThree hundred and sixty degree 3D EVUS was performed in 100 treatment-naïve patients following Macroplastique injection. The location, volumes, periurethral distribution, and distance of the hyperechoic densities from the urethrovesical junction were assessed. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 72): patients who had good clinical outcome and group B (n = 28): patients who were not improved or worsened. The two groups were compared with respect to the ultrasound parameters measured.ResultsGroup A had a greater proportion of women with Macroplastique located in the proximal urethra, while midurethral location was found to be significantly more frequent in group B (p = 0.036). The odds of a circumferential periurethral distribution in group A were 13.62 times the odds in group B (95% CI: 5.12–56.95). When the location of the injection and the type of periurethral distribution were considered together, it was found that when the site of injection was proximal, the odds of circumferential distribution in group A was significantly greater than those in group B (odds ratio [95% CI]: 22 [3.05–203.49]; p < 0.001).ConclusionProximally located Macroplastique and circumferential periurethral distribution of Macroplastique are individually associated with successful outcomes following the injection. The combination of circumferentially distributed and proximally located Macroplastique is associated with the best short-term clinical outcomes.

Predictors of successful salpingo-oophorectomy at the time of vaginal hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine prognostic factors related to successful salpingo-oophorectomy in menopausal women at the time of vaginal hysterectomy. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2). SETTING Tertiary care center. PATIENTS A total of 309 postmenopausal ≥60 years old with pelvic floor disorders. INTERVENTIONS Vaginal hysterectomy with attempted prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy. MEASUREMENTS Factors associated with ability to achieve vaginal salpingo-oophorectomy. MAIN RESULTS 203 (65.7%) achieved successful removal of 1 or both ovaries, and 106 (34.3%) were not amenable to removal. Younger age and shorter cervical length were predictors of salpingo-oophorectomy. Cervical elongation of ≥7 cm, exteriorized cervical/uterine prolapse, and anterior vaginal wall prolapse beyond the hymen were associated with lower likelihood of achieving salpingo-oophorectomy. CONCLUSIONS Patient age and cervical length are independent factors that influence the success of accomplishing salpingo-oophorectomy at the time of vaginal hysterectomy.

Validation of a global pelvic floor symptom bother questionnaire

Introduction and hypothesisThis study aimed to validate a symptom questionnaire to assess presence and patient bother as related to common pelvic floor disorders.MethodsThe validation of the Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) included evaluation of internal reliability, test-retest reliability, and validity of the items.ResultsA total of 141 patients with mean age of 61.8 ± 13.2 were included in the study. Twenty-four percent of patients complained of stress urinary incontinence, 14.9% mixed incontinence, 14.9% urge incontinence, 10% fecal incontinence, 5.7% obstructed defecation, 28.4% pelvic organ prolapse, and 2.1% dyspareunia. The PFBQ demonstrated good reliability (α = 0.61-0.74; ICC = 0.94). There was a strong agreement beyond chance observed for each question (k = 0.77-0.91). PFBQ correlated with stage of prolapse (ρ = 0.73, p < 0.0001), number of urinary and fecal incontinence episodes (ρ = 0.81, p < 0.0001; ρ = 0.54, p < 0.0001), and obstructed defecation (ρ = 0.55, p < 0.0001).ConclusionThe PFBQ is a useful tool that can be easily used for identification and severity or bother assessment of various pelvic floor symptoms.

Pyometra necessitating hysterectomy after colpocleisis in an extremely elderly patient.

As the number of women more than the age 65 increases, so will the need for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and the comorbidities that come with surgical treatment of an aging population gain significance. Colpocleisis is an option for women failing or refusing conservative prolapse management and not desiring sexual function. The advantages of colpocleisis are decreased operative time, low complication rate, and ability to use local or regional anesthesia. We report a case of a 95-year-old woman whose procidentia was treated with colpocleisis. Endometrial evaluation with dilation and curettage was performed at the time of colpocleisis. Postoperative course was complicated by pyometra necessitating total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoopherectomy, leading to further complications including deep vein thrombosis, anemia, atrial fibrillation, and pleural effusions. Preoperative versus intraoperative endometrial evaluation may decrease the risk of developing pyometra after colpocleisis and, therefore, diminish the possibility of multiple complications.

Endoscopic transurethral resection of urethral mesh erosion with the use of a pediatric nasal speculum

BACKGROUND: A rare but challenging complication of midurethral slings is erosion of mesh tape through the urethral wall. CASES: In this report, we describe two cases in which a pediatric nasal speculum provided exposure for transurethral resection of eroded mesh. Exposure was sufficient for complete mesh resection endoscopically as well as with use of traditional surgical instruments. Since having surgery there has been no recurrence of mesh erosion and the irritative voiding symptoms have resolved. CONCLUSION: Urethral mesh erosion can be managed from a transurethral approach. Furthermore, use of a pediatric nasal speculum improves visualization and efficiency.

Uterine retroversion for vaginoperineal reconstruction following resection of distal rectal tumors.

PURPOSE: Vaginal and perineal reconstruction following wide resection of locally invasive rectal cancer can be challenging. Various techniques have been reported, all of which contribute the additional morbidity inherent in tissue procurement. We present a technique applicable to nonhysterectomized patients who undergo posterior vaginal wall reconstruction with retroversion of the in situ uterus. METHODS: Four nonhysterectomized patients with recurrent rectal carcinoma and abdominoperineal resection with en bloc resection of the posterior vagina leaving a large defect necessitating reconstruction of the vagina, perineum, or both, have undergone posterior vaginal wall and perineal reconstruction with uterine retroversion into the posterior pelvis and fixation to the perineum. RESULTS: Satisfactory vaginoperineal reconstruction was achieved in all our patients at 3 months. In addition, patients are able to resume sexual activity after tissue re-epithelialization. CONCLUSION: Uterine retroversion is a viable option for vaginal and perineal reconstruction.